2017 Architectural Excellence Design Awards

The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects announced its 2017 Architectural Excellence Design and Special Awards recipients with an inaugural simulcast streamed into viewing parties, offices, and homes across the Commonwealth. Over 30 firms and individuals across Pennsylvania were honored for excellence in design and innovation, contributions to the profession of Architecture and commitment to the quality of life in the built environment.

2017’s Architectural Excellence Design Awards recipients were selected by a jury of nationally recognized architects and designers spearheaded by architecture critic Reed Kroloff, AIA and rounded out by Debra Lehman Smith of Lehman Smith McLeish and Claire Weisz, FAIA of WXY. The jury was filmed on location at the firm of Lehman Smith McLeish in Washington, DC.

“It was an honor to chair a jury with such distinguished colleagues as Debra Lehman-Smith and Claire Weisz, and we were all mightily impressed with the quality of the work submitted–particularly those selected for Architectural Excellence Awards. It is abundantly–and delightfully–clear that Pennsylvania architecture is at a very high point right now” said Kroloff, head juror.

In addition to the Architectural Excellence Awards, nine Special Awards were presented including the 2017 Architectural Firm Award honoring DIGSAU, a Philadelphia firm practicing contemporary architecture, urbanism and environmental design. With a commitment to their core values of design excellence, experimentation, and attentiveness to material culture, the firm’s work builds enthusiasm in others for the hard work of design required to create meaningful places that empower and inspire people to be more creative, productive, and fulfilled.

As the recipient of the 50 Year Timeless Award, Frank Llloyd Wright’s acclaimed Fallingwater house was recognized for its unique ability to stand the test of time resonating with the design community and the public alike.

The highest award bestowed upon a living AIA Pennsylvania member was granted to Donald K. Carter, FAIA FAICP LEED AP – David Lewis Director of Urban Design and Regional Engagement, Remaking Cities Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. The Medal of Distinction honors contributions to architecture that transcend local boundaries and have been of benefit to the profession and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The seven additional Special Awards including the Government Award and the Impact Designer Award can be viewed here.

AIA Pennsylvania also presented seven Student Awards to students from Pennsylvania’s seven NAAB-accredited architecture programs. Students were selected by their faculty for proficiency in both academics and design and readiness to take on the challenges and responsibilities of the work environment in an architecture firm.

41 Pennsylvania architecture firms were recognized with the 2017 Firms Fostering Emerging Professionals Designation. Firms are vetted for their Architectural Experience Programs (AXP), leadership opportunities, and support offered throughout the ARE testing process.

This new award is presented for contribution to the built environment to honor those professionals who bring architects’ work into reality and uphold the tenets of design, sustainability and collaboration.

Recipients

This new award recognizes exceptional contributions to the profession by an AIA Pennsylvania Associate member who graduated in the last five years and who has demonstrated professional and civic leadership.

Recipients

Project Eligibility

Awards can be given for a project in any geographic location if the project’s Architect of Record is a member of AIA Pennsylvania and the project was completed within the last five years.

Award Types

Silver Medals may be granted, at the jury’s discretion to the project that distinguishes itself from the rest of the submissions and may be given in any category.

Honor Awards may be given at the jury’s discretion for projects that exemplify the highest design quality in any category.

Citation of Merit Awards may be given to reward a project that either lies outside of the other categories or bears an exceptional aspect or detail that the jury feels represents excellence which deserves specific honor.

Award Categories

Architecture: built projects including new buildings of all types including additions and alterations to existing buildings.

Interior Architecture: large or small in scope and may involve new construction, renovation, or preservation/restoration.

Special Initiatives: planning, research, conceptual, unbuilt projects, policy development and implementation and community initiatives. The project must have been completed within the last five years.

Associate: recognizes the contributions and creativity of AIA Pennsylvania Associate Members. Work submitted may include projects that the member has had significant participation in at the firm where the associate is affiliated or an individual effort at the conceptual level that is recognized for its inventiveness and/or originality. The project must have been completed within the last five years.

The Medal of Distinction is the highest award bestowed by AIA Pennsylvania upon a living AIA Pennsylvania member. The recipient shall have made contributions to architecture that transcend local boundaries and have been of benefit to the profession and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Nominations may be made by the Board of Directors of a Chapter or by a group of ten (10) AIA Pennsylvania members. This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize an excellent member. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

The Architectural Firm Award is awarded to any firm or successor firms, whether an individual or an organization of architects, in which the continuing collaboration among individuals of the firm has been the principal force in consistently producing distinguished architecture for a period of at least 10 years. While serving on the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors, Board members and their firms are ineligible to be nominated for this award. Nominations may be made by the Board of Directors of a Pennsylvania local Chapter or by a group of ten (10) AIA Pennsylvania members.

Recipients

The Emerging Professional Award seeks to recognize the exceptional achievements and future promise of a licensed architect and promote their continuing development. The applicant’s contribution to the profession can be through one or more of the following: design excellence, leadership in practice, leadership in education, and service to the profession or society. The award is open to registered architect members of AIA Pennsylvania in their first ten years of licensure as of the date of the application. (Please note that this can be a self nomination.)

Recipients

AIA Pennsylvania is seeking nominations for the Award for Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect. The award goes to an individual, corporation, association, or other group; and will be presented at the Statewide Conference.

Recipients will be cited for their direct contributions to the profession such as a building program, public works project, book, theoretical or applied research in zoning, urban design, interiors, planning, energy conservation, preservation, restoration, transportation, industrial design, artistic endeavors, or other significant disciplines that have a strong influence on Architecture. Projects must be non-built contributions that benefit the built world or profession of Architecture.

This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize excellent work that has helped us to be better architects. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

Recipients

Gary Saulson, Corporate Real Estate PNC Bank Corp. (2015)

Anthony Potter, Esq. (2014)

David Leatherbarrow (2011)

John Andrew Gallery, The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (2010)

The Government Award is given in recognition of significant contributions to, or particular support of, the profession and business of Architecture and/or the built environment. Anyone working in state or local government such as legislators, department secretaries, township officials, etc. are eligible for the award as an individual or specified group. The award will be presented at Architects Day in Harrisburg.

This is an excellent opportunity for us to recognize excellent work that has helped us to be better architects. We encourage you to nominate worthy candidates. Only one award will be presented, and the selection will be made by AIA Pennsylvania’s board of directors.

The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the President of the Board of Directors, in recognition of special contributions and/or particular support of the profession, the business of architecture or the built environment, in Pennsylvania. The award is open to anyone, including members, non-members, architects and others.

Upload the completed nomination form and documentation to our dropbox.

Past Recipients

The Student Award recognizes the exceptional scholastic achievement and future promise of a student graduating at the end of the current academic year. The student should have proven to be proficient in both academics and design, and ready to take on the challenges and responsibilities of the work environment in an architecture firm. Student Awards:

The American Institute of Architects bestows the recognition of Fellowship for achievement in architecture on members who have contributed notably to the advancement of the profession of architecture. With the exception of the Gold Medal, Fellowship is the highest national honor the AIA can bestow on a member.

It is conferred on members with at least 10 years of continuous membership who have made significant contributions to the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession; to the standards of architectural education, training, and practice; to the building industry through leadership of the AIA and other related professional organizations; to the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment and to society through significant public service.

The College of Fellows includes approximately five percent of the total AIA membership. Those advanced to fellowship may use “FAIA” after their names in recognition of their contributions in design, education, research or public service.

Current members of AIA Pennsylvania who have been recognized with the honor of Fellow are: